If you walk into her Dance Ensemble practice Saturday afternoon in the Music and Theatre Building, you will feel the passion and intensity in the air. Seven girls dance to a Latin-flavored tango as Leahy critiques their performance. 'Go for the hard!' she urges them.

'The hard' is indeed what Leahy embraces in her role as a dancer. A desire to perform has always been a part of her identity, as her mother was a dancer. As a child, she went to dancing school then discovered swimming as a hobby. However, it was dancing that she continued to pursue.

'I grew up with dancing,' Leahy stated. 'I've always been into it.'

Leahy is a leader in the Dayton arts community, as a dancer and choreographer for the dance company Rhythm in Shoes. Leahy has worked with musician/composer Rick Good for the past eighteen years as well.

Critically acclaimed in the local arts community, the mission of Rhythm in Shoes is to present thoughtful, well executed dance and music in performance and to enhance people's experience of dance and music, according to Leahy

A self-proclaimed 'community minded' person, Leahy wants to 'bridge the Stewart Street gap.' That is, she wants to make the art agencies downtown more accessible. 'Tap Jam' is one the programs she has established to reach out into the community and bring the downtown art scene to campus.

Leahy was inspired to start the program at UD when one of her students, Lauren Cushman, approached her last semester.

'Lauren thought it would be really fun to have a tap jam,' she explained.

Thus, the idea for Tap Jam was born and came into action this semester.

Tap Jam is two hours of informal tap dance improvisation with live music. Every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. in Art Street's Studio A1, Leahy hosts this art event.

'Tap Jam' is an unconventional approach to dance. As a 'drop-in' session, students can come and go as they please. Those interested can come to learn formal steps, or simply improvise with Leahy. The director encourages dancers of all abilities to come to the session.

Leahy finds 'Tap Jam' to be a refreshing way to end an evening or unwind. She also believes that a healthy body breeds a healthy mind.

'It's a great study break. We have a blast,' she said.

Leahy even provides a tub with shoes of all sizes to borrow for the class.

Rhythm in Shoes will be sharing their talent with the UD community soon. Their next performance will be in Boll Theater on March 9, 10 and 11. The tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. To purchase tickets, please call the KU Box Office at 226-7463

For more information about Tap Jam, contact the ArtStreet Office at 229-5101 or just stop by next Tuesday!